Sam Wilson's Captain America in the Brave New World Trailer with Red Hulk

Captain America: Brave New World‘s teaser trailer is here, complete with several major reveals, action set pieces, and new MCU characters. The story of Captain America 4 has been anticipated since the ending of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier in 2021. Sam Wilson has finally become Captain America, but Marvel Studios has made audiences wait patiently for his first solo adventure. Regardless, Captain America: Brave New World‘s trailer is here and gives an insight into the 2025 movie.

The trailer for Captain America 4 offers a tease of what is to come. The tone is notably different from most MCU projects, more akin to the spy-thriller genre of Captain America: The Winter Soldier than the cosmic fun of Thor: Love and Thunder or the horror vibes of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. As one of the few upcoming MCU movies that will remain somewhat grounded, this tone is a welcome aspect of the film. Furthermore, the various twists and amazing moments teased in Captain America 4‘s trailer promise an exciting story ahead for Sam Wilson when it hits theaters in 2025.

10. Captain America 4 Offers The First Official Look At Harrison Ford’s Thunderbolt Ross

The Late William Hurt Makes Way For Harrison Ford’s MCU Debut

Harrison Ford and William Hurt as Thaddeus Ross in the MCUCustom Image by Kai Young

One of the biggest updates about Captain America: Brave New World was the return of Thunderbolt Ross. However, given the passing of former actor William Hurt, the character was recast with Harrison Ford taking over. Captain America 4 will be Ford’s MCU debut as the character, with the film’s teaser trailer offering more insight into his arc.

Humorously, the trailer indirectly addresses the recasting off the bat. Sam remarks that Ross has lost his mustache, a defining physical attribute of Hurt’s iteration of the character. After the mention of the mustache, Ford’s Thunderbolt Ross gives some details about his storyline in the upcoming MCU film. In Captain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolt Ross will be running for President of the United States, giving him a much closer relationship to Anthony Mackie’s Captain America than he ever possessed with Chris Evans’ Steve Rogers.

9. Aspiring President Thunderbolt Ross Wants Captain America To Be An Official Military Position

The Issues Of Captain America: Civil War Could Be Rearing Their Heads Once More

Harrison Ford's President Ross sat down in Captain America Brave New World

It was made clear early in Captain America 4‘s production that Sam and Thunderbolt Ross will have an antagonistic relationship in the film. This was to be expected given that Sam sided with Steve in Captain America: Civil War, going directly against the orders of then-Secretary of State Thunderbolt Ross. Interestingly though, it seems as though Captain America: Brave New World will begin with Ross trying to make amends with Sam as the former runs for President.

Sam is shown asking Ross what happens if they disagree again, likely brewing the conflict that will happen between the two characters…

In the trailer, Ross mentions to Sam that he wants to make Captain America an official military position. This seems like Brave New World will revisit the motivations Ross had during Captain America: Civil War, that being government oversights for superheroes. Sam is shown asking Ross what happens if they disagree again, likely brewing the conflict that will happen between the two characters.

8. Captain America’s New MCU Costume Is Unveiled

The White, Red, & Blue Of Captain America Makes A Return

Sam Wilson facing down a plane in Captain America: Brave New World (2025)

At the end of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Sam Wilson received his first Captain America costume. The predominantly white, Wakandan-made supersuit was a highlight of the Marvel Disney+ TV show, leading many to be disappointed upon the reveal that Captain America: Brave New World will change the costume once more. In the trailer for the latter, Sam’s new look is unveiled.

The new costume is much closer in design to Steve Rogers’ Captain America costumes. The primary color of white is replaced with blue, with white and red making up the adornments around the suit. Later in the trailer for Captain America 4Sam’s costume is seen in action with the wings and a new flight helmet.

7. Captain America 4’s Trailer Sees The Return Of Isaiah Bradley In A Different Role

A Falcon & The Winter Soldier Character Returns

Isaiah-Bradley-in-The-Falcon-and-the-Winter-Soldier-and--Sam-Wilson-as-Captain-America-from-The-Falcon-and-the-Winter-Soldier-
Custom image by Yeider Chacon

One of the highlights of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier was the storyline of Isaiah Bradley. Played by Carl Lumbly, Bradley had an incredibly tragic, compelling story about being a former super-soldier under the control of the United States military. Bradley’s experiences were integral in exploring the complex themes of Sam becoming a black Captain America in a country that may not entirely respect him, leading to some of the more emotionally affecting scenes in the entire show.

Isaiah Bradley’s grandson, Eli Bradley, was included in Falcon and the Winter Soldier, potentially setting up his appearance as a member of the Young Avengers.

Thankfully, Captain America 4′s trailer confirms Isaiah Bradley’s return to the MCU. However. the trailer hints that Bradley will have a much different role going forward. In one scene, Bradley interrupts an event involving Ross’ presidential campaign and attempts to shoot him before fleeing. Whether Bradley was mind-controlled like Bucky Barnes or simply has a vendetta against Ross remains to be seen, but it seems as though he will have an antagonistic presence in Captain America: Brave New World.

6. Captain America: Brave New World Confirms Falcon’s MCU Replacement

Joaquin Torres Joins Sam Wilson’s Cap In Brave New World’s Adventure

Danny Ramirez As Joaquin Torres Sitting In The Front Seat Of A Car With His Head Turned In Captain America Brave New World

Where there is a new Captain America, there also has to be a new Falcon. In The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Danny Ramirez’ Joaquin Torres was teased as the latter when Sam gave him his Falcon wings. In Captain America 4, Torres is officially taking on the mantle of Falcon and helping Sam’s Captain America with investigating the breach of Thunderbolt Ross’ inner circle.

Torres can be seen alongside Sam in several scenes of Captain America: Brave New World‘s trailer. Not only is he shown at several events or in espionage-based missions, but the ending of the trailer shows Falcon in action. As Sam flies through fighter jets and helicopters, Joaquin Torres can be seen flying alongside him as the MCU’s new Falcon, complete with his own flight suit.

5. Giancarlo Esposito & Shira Haas Appear In Captain America 4’s Trailer

Two New MCU Characters Debut In Brave New World

Giancarlo Esposito looking stoic with Anthony Mackie's Captain America behind him

Alongside Harrison Ford’s Thunderbolt Ross, two other new MCU actors will appear in Captain America: Brave New World. One of these is Shira Haas, who is slated to play the Israeli superhero known as Sabra in Marvel Comics. Haas can be seen in several moments of Captain America 4‘s trailer, though more as a spy than as Sabra.

The other actor who can be spotted in Captain America: Brave New World‘s trailer is Giancarlo Esposito. Esposito’s involvement in the film came as a surprise as he was only added during recent reshoots. It is still unclear what character Esposito will be playing in Captain America: Brave New World, but the film’s trailer shows him donning black shades and various weapons as he seemingly fights against Sam Wilson.

4. Sam Wilson IS Captain America, & He’s Not Steve Rogers

The New Captain America Is More Assured Of Himself Than Ever

Sam Wilson speaking to President Ross in Captain America Brave New World

One of the more exciting moments in Captain America: Brave New World‘s trailer comes during a confrontation between Ross and Sam. The former tells the latter that while he might be Captain America, he is not Steve Rogers. Sam retorts “You’re right. I’m not,” before the trailer shows Sam’s full Captain America suit in action. This scene is exciting due to the thematic elements at play.

Throughout The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Sam struggles with taking on the mantle of Captain America due to Steve’s legacy. Sam continuously wondered if he could surpass Steve’s tenure as Captain America, leading to his hesitancy to pick up the shield. However, now that he has done so, Captain America: Brave New World will seemingly double down on how confident Sam is that he IS Captain America and that he deserves to be so because he is different from Steve Rogers.

3. Captain America 4 Fixes A 3-Year-Old MCU Plot Hole

A Long-Standing Eternals Elements Returns To The MCU

Sam Wilson in Captain America Brave New World with Tiamut's hand in EternalsCustom Image by Kai Young

Perhaps the biggest point of discourse after 2021’s Eternals was why no one in the MCU has mentioned the Celestial protruding from one of Earth’s oceans. The Celestial Tiamut was turned into inorganic matter by Sersi at the end of Eternals, yet the giant body taking up a large portion of the Indian Ocean has only ever been mentioned in a brief Easter egg in She-Hulk. As evidenced by Captain America: Brave New World‘s trailer, this is being rectified.

The aforementioned scenes of Sam in action in the full Captain America suit see the hero flying through a familiar location. The marbleized body of Tiamut can be seen as Sam flies against his enemies, proving that the upcoming MCU film will finally reference the Celestial from Eternals. Whether this will have any bearing on Captain America: Brave New World‘s story or not remains to be seen, but it is exciting to see a story as disconnected as Eternals get a reference in the Multiverse Saga.

2. Sam Wilson’s Captain America Action Looks Amazing

Sam Wilson’s Captain America Has More Potential For Action Sequences Than Steve Rogers’ Did

Sam Wilson flying past the Celestial Tiamut in Captain America Brave New World

Despite Steve Rogers being a super-soldier, the promise of action sequences for Sam’s Cap is higher. Steve Rogers could display incredible feats of strength, but Sam Wilson’s combination of Falcon and Captain America offers more thrilling, fast-paced action. This is on display in Captain America: Brave New World‘s trailer as Sam is shown fighting against various threats.

While the flight sequences around Tiamut are naturally fantastic, it is the other action sequences that look arguably more promising. Given that Sam is a normal human without specific superpowers, any action sequence could put him in mortal danger. This will elevate the film’s emotional stakes as Sam is committing himself to dangerous scenarios. For these reasons, Captain America: Brave New World‘s action sequences look highly encouraging.

1. Captain America: Brave New World Officially Reveals The MCU’s Red Hulk

One Of The Biggest Captain America 4 Theories Is Finally Confirmed

Red Hulk grabbing Captain America's shield in Captain America Brave New World

When it was announced that Thunderbolt Ross would return for Captain America 4 alongside The Leader, played once more by Tim Blake Nelson, a prevalent theory was that the former would become Red Hulk. In the comics, Ross becomes a red version of Hulk after being exposed to gamma radiation taken from Bruce Banner himself. While this theory was raised by man, no one was sure whether it would come true or not.

Red Hulk’s introduction could lead to a role in Marvel’s Thunderbolts* story , the comic book team named after Thunderbolt Ross.

In Captain America: Brave New World‘s trailer, Red Hulk makes his surprising, exciting debut. At the end of the trailer, a roar can be heard before Red Hulk is shown on-screen. The giant figure catches Sam’s shield with ease and throws it to the ground, promising a major standoff between Sam and Ross/Red Hulk. How Sam will overcome this incredibly powerful foe remains to be seen, but Captain America: Brave New World‘s trailer has undoubtedly whet appetites for the battles to come.